Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Overview Meeting Documents/e_… · Immigrant...
Transcript of Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Overview Meeting Documents/e_… · Immigrant...
Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Overview
Liz Cedillo-Pereira, Esq. Director Office of Welcoming Communities & Immigrant Affairs (WCIA)
June 21, 2017
Overview
• Immigration Trends and Demographics• WCIA Background & Purpose • Preliminary WCIA Survey Results• Welcoming Plan • Next Steps
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Dallas’ Changing Demographics Dallas is the 9th largest city in the U.S. where 1 in 4 residents
was born in the another country. Immigrants make up 25.2 percent of the labor force in the
Dallas metro area. 42% of Dallas households speak a language other than
English. Across the three U.S. Congressional Districts representing the
City of Dallas (30, 32, and 33), Immigrants contributed one billion in taxes in 2014 and Immigrants accounted for $8.6 billion in direct purchasing
power in 2014
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Immigrant Population of Texas
• 27,962,000 Texans• 4.4 million immigrants call Texas home• 34.1% of immigrants are naturalized U.S. citizens • Dallas County is home to estimated 231,000
immigrants• 181,000 from Mexico
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Immigrant Population of TexasTexas Cities Percentage
Houston 32.5
Dallas 19.6
Fort Worth//Arlington 7.4
Austin/Round Rock 6.3
San Antonio 6.2
McAllen /Edinburg/Mission 5.4
El Paso 5.0
Other 17.4 5
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WCIA Background & Purpose
• Established in March 2017• To promote the economic, civic and social
engagement of immigrants and refugees residing in Dallas.
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Primary Goal of WCIA
Newcomers to Dallas
Existing Dallas
Residents
Connect Dallas’ diverse immigrant community with existing Dallas
residents so that common ground and
shared leadership can be realized.
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WCIA PlanWCIA will carry out a multi-faceted program, Welcoming Plan, to promote the successful inclusion of immigrants into the social and economic fabric of the Dallas community.
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Stakeholder Survey Respondents
• 113 Surveys sent as of 5/9/17
• 42 responses (32% response rate)
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Non Profit21%
Education19%
Philanthropy7%Business
12%
Consulates5%
Faith Based18%
Legal19%
Preliminary Survey ResultsTop 5 Greatest Needs:
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1 Knowledge of rights and preparedness information
2 Access to civil immigration legal services
3 Access to and utilization of available services & benefits
4 ESL, Literacy and Citizenship instruction
5 Promotion of US Citizenship
Preliminary Survey ResultsBiggest Barriers Facing Immigrants:
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Fear of immigrant enforcement
Lack of English language skills
Poverty/Lack of resources
Transportation
Affordable housing
What can Dallas do?
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Community outreach between law enforcement & government leaders
Celebrate contributions of immigrants & refugees
Promote & provide ESL & U.S. Citizenship instruction
Support diversity initiatives & include immigrants
Break down social & economic barriers
Welcoming Plan: 5 Key Focus Areas
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Leadership and Communications
Equitable Access
Economic Opportunity and Education
Civic Engagement
Safe and Connected Communities
Leadership & Communications• Convene community leaders to form Welcoming
Committee• Launch “Welcoming Dallas” communications plan with
Public Information Office (PSAs, Webpage, Social Media)
• Engage & convene with community about WCIA and mission
• Collaborate with Protocol in welcoming efforts • Work with city employee associations on joint events.
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WCIA Webpage
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WCIA Webpage
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Equitable Access• Work with 311 to promote awareness and increase
calls from diverse communities• Review city polices and make recommendations
regarding services and programs • Seek opportunities for new partnerships and delivery
of services • Provide insights on transportation & housing needs of
immigrant and refugee community of Dallas
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Economic Opportunity & Education
• Collaborate with Mayor’s Taskforce on Poverty• Collaborate with Economic Development & Dallas Public
Library to support immigrant entrepreneurship & small business, workforce readiness
• Collaborate with educators & philanthropic community to promote youth leadership & education
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Working with Dallas students to address aspiring leaders
National Collaborations
• Welcome America• New American
Economy Gateways for Growth impact grant to research economic & social contributions
• Collaboration with Cities4Citizenship
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Civic Engagement• Increase representation
of immigrants and refugees on city advisory taskforces & boards
• Increase U.S. Citizenship through Cities4Citizenship Initiative with DPL & community partners
• MegaDallas Citizenship Application Workshop in October 2017
WCIA at the Dallas Public Library Book Festival
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Ongoing Community Engagement • Create Comprehensive
Engagement Plan • University Crossroads • Vickery Meadow Learning
Center ESL Graduation Ceremony
• Dallas Book Fair • Schools • SMU Simmons School
Diversity Conference • Dallas Bar Association • LULAC Conference at SMU• World Refugee Day
WCIA Citizenship Forum at Prairie Creek Library
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Safe & Connected Communities• Community Engagement Plan
with DPD & PIO regarding the implementation of SB4
• Collaborate with educators• W/Intergovernmental Affairs
maintain communication with municipal, state & federal agencies regarding immigration and refugee policies impacting the Dallas community
Dallas Police at the MegaMarch, Dallas 2017
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Next Steps - Path Forward
• Seek Council feedback on WCIA • Utilize survey results to identify areas of
opportunities• Convene Welcoming Committee• Implement Welcoming Plan • Seek Welcoming Certification Status
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Thank You! We Welcome Your Ideas.
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Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Overview
Liz Cedillo-Pereira, Esq. Director Office of Welcoming Communities & Immigrant Affairs (WCIA)
June 21, 2017